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Black Lives Matter protesters on E. State Street. June 5, 2020.

People Line Up On East State Street To Support Black Lives Matter Movement

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens residents lined up on East State Street Friday to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement and stand in solidarity with protesters across the United States.

Participants were asked to wear masks and stand six feet apart on the sidewalk. They allowed space for vehicles to go in and out of businesses and side streets.

The event began at 4:30p.m. Shortly after 6p.m., the line stretched from Mark Porter Autoplex to GoMart — close to half a mile.

This was the fifth protest in Athens since George Floyd, a Black man from Minneapolis, died on May 25 after a White police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes.

People display handmade signs and raise their fists during a protest calling for justice for George Floyd and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in Athens, Ohio on Friday, June 5, 2020. A line of people stretched down the sidewalk of State Street for half a mile, leaving room for vehicles to turn in and out of businesses. (Michelle Rotuno-Johnson | WOUB)
People form a line on East State Street for a protest Friday, June 5, 2020 in Athens, Ohio. Many held handmade signs calling for justice after the death of George Floyd and/or or expressing their support for Black Lives Matter movement. (Michelle Rotuno-Johnson | WOUB)
People display handmade signs and raise their fists during a protest calling for justice for George Floyd and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in Athens, Ohio on Friday, June 5, 2020. A line of people stretched down the sidewalk of State Street for half a mile, leaving room for vehicles to turn in and out of businesses. (Michelle Rotuno-Johnson | WOUB)
A man holds up a sign that says "silence=violence" during a protest Friday, June 5, 2020 in Athens, Ohio. Many held handmade signs calling for justice after the death of George Floyd and/or or expressing their support for Black Lives Matter movement. (Michelle Rotuno-Johnson | WOUB)
A woman holds a sign with "I can't breathe" written several times around a drawing of a raised fist. She was participating in a protest Friday, June 5, 2020 in Athens, Ohio. Many held handmade signs calling for justice after the death of George Floyd and/or or expressing their support for Black Lives Matter movement. (Michelle Rotuno-Johnson | WOUB)
People form a line on East State Street for a protest Friday, June 5, 2020 in Athens, Ohio. Many held handmade signs calling for justice after the death of George Floyd and/or or expressing their support for Black Lives Matter movement. (Michelle Rotuno-Johnson | WOUB)
People display handmade signs during a protest calling for justice for George Floyd and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in Athens, Ohio on Friday, June 5, 2020. A line of people stretched down the sidewalk of State Street for half a mile, leaving room for vehicles to turn in and out of businesses. (Michelle Rotuno-Johnson | WOUB)
A woman holds a sign that says "pass anti-lynching bill" during a protest calling for justice for George Floyd and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement in Athens, Ohio on Friday, June 5, 2020. A line of people stretched down the sidewalk of State Street for half a mile, leaving room for vehicles to turn in and out of businesses. (Michelle Rotuno-Johnson | WOUB)